More than 350 lbs of weed seized in Inyo County

A multi-agency effort and months of investigation have resulted in eight arrests, the seizure of more than 4,000 marijuana plants and, more than 350 pounds of processed marijuana. The seizure occurred on Thursday, August 22.

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By Mike BodineSTAFF WRITERmbodine@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Mike BodineSTAFF WRITERmbodine@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Aug. 24, 2013 at 1:15 PM

By Mike BodineSTAFF WRITERmbodine@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Aug. 24, 2013 at 1:15 PM

A multi-agency effort and months of investigation have resulted in eight arrests, the seizure of more than 4,000 marijuana plants and, more than 350 pounds of processed marijuana. The seizure occurred on Thursday, August 22.

A massive multi-agency eradication operation was successfully accomplished above Hogsback Creek west of Lone Pine. The Inyo Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET) and agents from the United States Forest Service have been investigating this particular grow-site while gathering evidence since May, 2013. Approximately 4,000 marijuana plants were removed from the site, as well as 350 pounds of processed marijuana.

One arrest was made during the operation — Jose Salvador Garcia-Rodrigiuez, 23, from Lake Elsinore. Early the next morning, INET and Forest Service Officers conducted a felony traffic stop south of Sage Flat Road on Highway 395 in Olancha; seven more arrests were made, all with ties to the Hogback cultivation site. Those arrests include: German Ortiz Guzman, 22, from Bakersfield; Antonio Suastegui 34, from Bakersfield; Lorenzo Perez-Meza, 44, from Bakersfield; Refugio Guzman, 49, from Bakersfield; Javier Morales, 25, from Homeland; Jesus Solis Jr., 19, from Garden Grove; and, Isaac Duran-Solis, 41, also from Bakersfield.

All of the suspects are being held at the Inyo County Jail under the following charges: marijuana cultivation, possession of marijuana for the purpose of sales, and conspiracy.

Hogsback Creek is along the Sawmill Pass Trail and popular with marijuana growers. More than 28,000 plants were seized in the same area in 2007.

Marijuana cultivation causes extreme damage to ecosystems. As part of the illegal cultivation process, growers are responsible for using miles of plastic tubing and diverting water from natural sources for crop irrigation. The use of banned herbicides and pesticides is also common practice. Massive amounts of trash and chemicals were transported from the Hogback cultivation site; the estimated quantity is at minimum 2,000 pounds. In addition, officers located banned hazardous materials, which required the response of a Hazmat professional.

Assisting in the eradication operation included the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bishop Police, California Highway Patrol, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Department, as well as all agencies assisting in the eradication operation, want to remind residents and visitors of the dangers that are inherent in marijuana cultivation. As soon as you become aware that you have come upon a cultivation site, leave immediately. Do not attempt to engage with the growers. Once in a safe place, report as many details about the location to law enforcement.